INIA TE WIATA by ZISKA SCHWIMMER London Express News Photograph The triumphant tour of Inia Te Wiata through New Zealand is in its last stages. The Maori people, proud of their new world celebrity, flocked to his concerts and although the arias in the first half of his programme were strange to many, all could appreciate his superb versions of the West Indian songs, the Negro spirituals, many short popular numbers—and of course the Maori items performed at each of his concerts. There was little in Inia Te Wiata's early background to lead him to world fame or the life of a professional artist. His father, Watene Te Wiata, died early, after which Inia was brought up by Pairoroku and Rakete Rikihana in Otaki. He went to live in the Waikato. Here he became interested in Maori carving and was employed at Ngaruawahia for three years on the carving of Turongo, the house of the Maori King, which was opened in 1936. Afterwards, he worked at the Horotiu Freezing Works, near Hamilton. During all these years, although his musical talents remained undeveloped, singing was an important part of his life. He first performed on the stage at the age of seven. ‘This first concert’ says Te Wiata, ‘still stands out as one of the great days in my life’. The concert took place at the Old Otaki Lyric Theatre, which was situated about a hundred yards from the Telegraph Hotel, in the direction of the town. His music teacher, Miss Edith Miller taught